Storage Medium Heating Assistance Layer Spatial Confinement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data storage systems face challenges in achieving high recording density due to limitations in heating assistance mechanisms for magnetic recording, which affect the coercivity and stability of magnetic storage media.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a storage media with layers that enhance heating through spatial confinement and absorption of energy from optical fields, using heating assistance elements or dielectric layers to optimize energy distribution and absorption for efficient heating of the storage layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional heating assistance mechanisms are used in magnetic recording, then heating can be achieved, but spatial confinement of energy is insufficient leading to reduced recording density

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording densityVSAvoidspatial confinement of energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing a dielectric layer with specific electrical conductivity properties at the interface between the storage layer and overcoat layer. This localized modification creates enhanced spatial confinement of optical energy precisely where needed for heating, without affecting other regions of the storage medium. The dielectric layer's specific electrical conductivity (less than the storage layer but greater than 10^-10 S/m) enables localized energy confinement that improves recording density while maintaining controlled heating characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If higher coercivity storage media are used to increase stability, then magnetic stability is improved, but heating assistance mechanisms become less effective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic stabilityVSAvoidheating effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dielectric layer as an intermediary element between the storage layer and overcoat layer. This intermediary layer with controlled electrical conductivity acts as a mediator that enhances the coupling between optical fields and the storage layer, thereby improving heating effectiveness. The dielectric layer enables more efficient energy transfer from the optical field to the storage medium, allowing effective heating of high coercivity materials that are otherwise difficult to heat with conventional mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If optical fields are applied to heat the storage layer, then heating is achieved, but energy absorption is insufficient for efficient heating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidenergy absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the electrical conductivity parameter of the interface between storage layer and overcoat layer through the introduction of a dielectric layer. By controlling the electrical conductivity of this interface (specifically making it less than the storage layer conductivity but greater than 10^-10 S/m), the patent optimizes the absorption of optical energy. This parameter modification enables more efficient coupling of optical fields to the storage layer, significantly improving heating efficiency and energy absorption characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for improved spatial confinement and absorption of energy, enabling higher coercivity storage media to be used while reducing superparamagnetic instabilities, thereby enhancing recording density and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

The heating assistance element is configured to enhance spatial confinement of energy from a field to an area of the storage layer to which the field is applied

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpatial confinement:

Implementation Method 2

The dielectric element, which is doped into the storage layer, is configured to enhance absorption of energy in the storage layer from an optical field applied to heat the storage layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption of energy: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

a dielectric layer disposed over the storage layer. The dielectric layer has an electrical conductivity that is less than an electrical conductivity of the storage layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 4

a beam of light is condensed to an optical spot on the storage medium to heat a portion of the medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical heating:

Data Source

PatentUS9373348B2Storage medium with layer(s) for enhanced heating

Publication Date: 2016.06.21 SEAGATE TECH LLC

AI summary

An apparatus that includes a storage layer and a heating assistance element. The heating assistance element is adjacent to the storage layer or doped into the storage layer. The heating assistance element is configured to enhance spatial confinement of energy from a field to an area of the storage layer to which the field is applied.